Rendon moves to third, Espinosa starts at second with Escobar out (with lineups)

By Josh Land

Nationals

August 08, 2015, 12:35pm

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The Nationals can't seem to catch a break. Once again, they will play without once of their most effective hitters with Yunel Escobar sick.

"Yunel is feeling terrible," manager Matt Williams said. "He's been feeling bad for a couple days. Today is the worst day."

Anthony Rendon will make his seventh start of the season at third base while Danny Espinosa plays second. Espinosa sparked the Nats offense early last night, scoring in the first after ripping a double down the left field line.

With the Rockies throwing right-hander Eddie Butler, Williams has Clint Robinson starting in left field. Robinson is 2-for-10 in his last five games, but he blasted a big three-run homer on Thursday night.

Williams says there won't be any pitch restrictions on Stephen Strasburg tonight as he makes his first start since July 4 after spending over a month on the disabled list with a strained left oblique.

For the Rockies:

CF Charlie Blackmon
SS Jose Reyes
RF Carlos Gonzalez
3B Nolan Arenado
1B Ben Paulsen
2B DJ LeMahieu
C Nick Hundley
LF Brandon Barnes
RHP Eddie Butler

For the Nationals:

3B Anthony Rendon
2B Danny Espinosa
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Clint Robinson
SS Ian Desmond
C Wilson Ramos
CF Michael A. Taylor
RHP Stephen Strasburg